A method for performing trick-mode operations with decreased latency for transcode streaming includes receiving and recording a stream of video data. A single transcoder may transcode the stream of video data and generate output video data in an output buffer following. Segmentation index information may be generated that refers to the output data in the output buffer. Skip-backwards, skip-ahead, and resume requests received from a client device are responded by retrieving transcoded video data from the output buffer or retrieving and transcoding video data from an input storage. A method for performing skip-ahead trick-mode operation with decreased latency may use two transcoders such as two threads of the single transcoder to transcode temporally current content and forward content. The forward content may be associated with a forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content. The transcoded forward content is provided in response to skip-ahead trick mode request.
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1. A method for decreased latency during a skip-ahead trick-mode operation, the method comprising: receiving, from a storage device, a stream of video data; transcoding, as temporally current content, the received stream of video data by using a first transcoder; retrieving, from the storage device, forward content, which is associated with a predetermined forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content; transcoding the forward content by using a second transcoder to generate a second transcoder output; providing the transcoded temporally current content to a client device; receiving a skip-ahead trick-mode request from the client device; responding to the skip-ahead trick-mode request by providing an output of the second transcoder to the client device; and retrieving from the storage device a new forward content associated with a first forward time offset with respect to a time associated with the second transcoder output and assigning the first transcoder to transcode the new forward content.
A method for faster skip-ahead in video streaming uses two parallel video transcoders. The first transcoder processes the current video content. Simultaneously, the second transcoder processes video content that is a specified time offset ahead of the current content. When a skip-ahead request is received from the client, the system immediately sends the output from the second transcoder, providing a faster response. Then, the first transcoder is reassigned to transcode new forward content, maintaining the time offset for future skip-ahead requests. Video data is retrieved from a storage device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the new forward content is associated with a first instance of time that is after an instance of time associated with the forward content.
The method for faster skip-ahead described previously, where two video transcoders are used and the first transcoder is reassigned to transcode new forward content, ensures the new forward content is always from a point in time later than the content previously transcoded by the second transcoder. This maintains the forward time offset and prevents processing the same video segment repeatedly or moving backwards in the stream when preparing the forward content.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising buffering an output of the first transcoder and the output of the second transcoder before being provided to the client device, wherein buffered content comprises a predetermined amount of video data.
The method for faster skip-ahead described previously, where two video transcoders are used, also includes buffering the outputs from both transcoders (current and forward) before sending them to the client. Each buffer holds a specified amount of video data. This buffering ensures smooth playback and allows for consistent data delivery, even with variations in transcoding speed or network conditions.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising providing the buffered content to the client device at a speed higher than normal real time speed.
The method from the buffering claim before, where transcoded output from both transcoders (current and forward) is buffered before being sent to the client, sends the buffered content to the client at a speed faster than normal real-time playback. This allows the client to quickly catch up to the desired point in the video after a skip-ahead operation, enhancing the trick-mode experience.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein retrieving from the storage device comprises retrieving from a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, a flash memory, or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
The method for faster skip-ahead described previously, where two video transcoders are used, retrieves the video data, including current and forward content, from a storage device that can be a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, flash memory, or dynamic random access memory (DRAM). This allows the method to work with various common video storage mediums.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content is set by the skip-ahead trick-mode request received from the client device.
In the method for faster skip-ahead, where the second transcoder processes video content a specified time offset ahead, the amount of that forward time offset is configurable, determined by the skip-ahead request received from the client. This allows users to customize the jump duration, enabling skip intervals of varying lengths based on their preferences.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the output of the second transcoder to the client device is performed by a controller and through a network interface.
The method for faster skip-ahead described previously uses a controller and a network interface to deliver the output from the second transcoder to the client device. The controller manages the selection and routing of the transcoded data, and the network interface facilitates the actual transmission across the network to the client.
8. A device for decreased latency during a skip-ahead trick-mode operation, the device comprising: a storage device to store a stream of video data; a first transcoder to transcode, as temporally current content, a received stream of video data; a controller to retrieve, from the storage device, forward content that is associated with a predetermined forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content; a second transcoder to transcode the retrieved forward content and to generate a second transcoder output; a network interface to provide the transcoded temporally current content to a client device; an access block to retrieve from the storage device a new forward content associated with a first forward time offset with respect to a time associated with the second transcoder output; and the controller to assign the first transcoder to transcode the new forward content, the controller is further to: receive a skip-ahead trick-mode request from the client device; and respond to the skip-ahead trick-mode request by providing an output of the second transcoder to the client device.
A device enables faster skip-ahead in video streaming using a storage device, two transcoders, a controller, an access block, and a network interface. The first transcoder processes current content from the storage device. The controller retrieves forward content (a specified time offset ahead) and instructs the second transcoder to process it. The network interface streams the first transcoder's output. When a skip-ahead request arrives, the controller immediately sends the second transcoder's output. The access block then fetches new forward content, and the controller assigns the first transcoder to process it, maintaining the time offset.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the new forward content is associated with a first instance of time that is after an instance of time associated with the forward content.
The device for faster skip-ahead described previously, where there is forward content and new forward content, ensures the new forward content is from a later time than the original forward content. This ensures that the forward time offset is maintained.
10. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a first output buffer to store an output of the first transcoder before being provided to the client device.
The device for faster skip-ahead also includes a first output buffer to store the output of the first transcoder (current content) before it is sent to the client device. This helps smooth the streaming process and manage variations in transcoding speed.
11. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a second output buffer to store an output of the second transcoder before being provided to the client device.
The device for faster skip-ahead also includes a second output buffer to store the output of the second transcoder (forward content) before it is sent to the client device, in addition to a first output buffer for the first transcoder.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the second output buffer is to provide buffered content to the client device at a speed higher than a normal real time speed.
The device from the previous claim uses the second output buffer for forward content to provide buffered content to the client at a faster rate than normal real-time playback. This allows the client to catch up quickly after a skip.
13. The device of claim 8 , wherein the controller is to provide the output of the second transcoder to the client device through the network interface.
The device for faster skip-ahead utilizes the controller to provide the output of the second transcoder (forward content) to the client device, sending it through the network interface.
14. The device of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content is set by the skip-ahead trick-mode request received from the client device.
In the device for faster skip-ahead, the predetermined forward time offset that determines how far ahead the second transcoder processes content is set by the skip-ahead request that the client sends.
15. The device of claim 8 , wherein the storage device comprises one of a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, a flash memory, or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
The device for faster skip-ahead can store video data on different types of storage devices including a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, flash memory, or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
16. A system for providing decreased latency during a trick-mode, the system comprising: memory to store one or more program modules; one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors to execute the one or more program modules to: receive, from a storage device, a stream of video data; transcode, as temporally current content, the received stream of video data by using a first transcoder; retrieve, from the storage device, forward content, which is associated with a predetermined forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content; transcode the forward content by using a second transcoder to generate a second transcoder output; provide the transcoded temporally current content to a client device; receive a skip-ahead trick-mode request from the client device; respond to the skip-ahead trick-mode request by providing an output of the second transcoder to the client device; and retrieve from the storage device a new forward content associated with a first forward time offset with respect to a time associated with the second transcoder output and assign the first transcoder to transcode the new forward content.
A system for decreased latency during video trick-mode operations uses a memory storing program modules and one or more processors to execute the modules. The system receives video data from storage, transcodes current content using a first transcoder, retrieves and transcodes forward content (offset in time) using a second transcoder, and provides the current content to a client. Upon receiving a skip-ahead request, it sends the second transcoder's output to the client. It then retrieves new forward content and assigns it to the first transcoder, maintaining the time offset.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the new forward content is associated with a first instance of time that is after an instance of time associated with the forward content.
The system for faster skip-ahead described previously, where there is forward content and new forward content being transcoded, ensures the new forward content is from a later time than the original forward content, keeping the forward time offset consistent.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors is further to execute the one or more program modules to buffer an output of the first transcoder and the output of the second transcoder before being provided to the client device, wherein buffered content comprises a predetermined amount of video data.
In the system for faster skip-ahead, the processors execute program modules to buffer the outputs of both transcoders (current and forward) before sending them to the client. Each buffer holds a specific amount of video data, resulting in a smoother, more consistent playback experience.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more processors is further to execute the one or more program modules to provide the buffered content to the client device at a speed higher than normal real time speed.
The system from the previous buffering description sends the buffered video content to the client faster than normal real-time playback. This speedup helps users catch up quickly after skip-ahead actions, which improves the trick-mode experience.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the storage device comprises one of a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, a flash memory, or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
The system described, designed to provide decreased latency during a trick-mode, may store video data on various storage devices including a digital video recorder (DVR), a disk drive, flash memory, or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 4, 2016
July 18, 2017
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